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Court Grants 5-Day Police Custody to Nashik 'Godman' Who Betrayed Women by Posing as an 'Incarnation of God'
Nashik (April 15, 2026): In a grave case involving the sexual exploitation of women in Nashik, self-proclaimed 'godman' Ashok Kharat has been arrested in connection with a fourth criminal offense; the Nashik Court has remanded him to police custody until April 18.
In this particular case, the victimized woman had approached Kharat seeking a male child and a resolution to her family's difficulties. Claiming to be an 'incarnation of God,' Kharat administered water and a *pedha* (sweetmeat) laced with sedatives to her. He is subsequently alleged to have forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with her. Following the commission of the crime, he reportedly threatened the victim and sternly warned her against disclosing the incident to anyone.
Kharat, who was already in judicial custody in connection with three previous offenses, was arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with this fourth case. On Tuesday, he was produced before the court via video conferencing. While presenting their arguments, the prosecution stated that this incident occurred at Kharat's 'Oak's Properties' office sometime between April 2022 and December 2024. It was alleged that Kharat molested the victim by making her drink water from a copper vessel and giving her colored stones. Investigations have revealed that he repeatedly sexually assaulted her while she was in a sedated state.
Public Prosecutor Shailendra Bagde submitted to the court that a thorough interrogation of the suspect is essential. He argued that it is imperative to investigate what substances were mixed into the *pedha* and water, as well as to determine whether any other malpractices were committed under the guise of religious rituals. Furthermore, an investigation is required to ascertain whether he had any accomplices. Consequently, a remand of five days in police custody was requested.
The defense counsel opposed the request for custody. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted police custody of Kharat until April 18. Following the revelation of this case, numerous women have filed complaints with the Nashik Police, and a total of several cases have been registered against Kharat. Kharat—who styled himself as a 'Captain' and an astrologer—stands accused of betraying the trust of many women under the guise of charlatanism.
Nashik (April 15, 2026): In a grave case involving the sexual exploitation of women in Nashik, self-proclaimed 'godman' Ashok Kharat has been arrested in connection with a fourth criminal offense; the Nashik Court has remanded him to police custody until April 18.
In this particular case, the victimized woman had approached Kharat seeking a male child and a resolution to her family's difficulties. Claiming to be an 'incarnation of God,' Kharat administered water and a *pedha* (sweetmeat) laced with sedatives to her. He is subsequently alleged to have forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with her. Following the commission of the crime, he reportedly threatened the victim and sternly warned her against disclosing the incident to anyone.
Kharat, who was already in judicial custody in connection with three previous offenses, was arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with this fourth case. On Tuesday, he was produced before the court via video conferencing. While presenting their arguments, the prosecution stated that this incident occurred at Kharat's 'Oak's Properties' office sometime between April 2022 and December 2024. It was alleged that Kharat molested the victim by making her drink water from a copper vessel and giving her colored stones. Investigations have revealed that he repeatedly sexually assaulted her while she was in a sedated state.
Public Prosecutor Shailendra Bagde submitted to the court that a thorough interrogation of the suspect is essential. He argued that it is imperative to investigate what substances were mixed into the *pedha* and water, as well as to determine whether any other malpractices were committed under the guise of religious rituals. Furthermore, an investigation is required to ascertain whether he had any accomplices. Consequently, a remand of five days in police custody was requested.
The defense counsel opposed the request for custody. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted police custody of Kharat until April 18. Following the revelation of this case, numerous women have filed complaints with the Nashik Police, and a total of several cases have been registered against Kharat. Kharat—who styled himself as a 'Captain' and an astrologer—stands accused of betraying the trust of many women under the guise of charlatanism.
In this particular case, the victimized woman had approached Kharat seeking a male child and a resolution to her family's difficulties. Claiming to be an 'incarnation of God,' Kharat administered water and a *pedha* (sweetmeat) laced with sedatives to her. He is subsequently alleged to have forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with her. Following the commission of the crime, he reportedly threatened the victim and sternly warned her against disclosing the incident to anyone.
Kharat, who was already in judicial custody in connection with three previous offenses, was arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with this fourth case. On Tuesday, he was produced before the court via video conferencing. While presenting their arguments, the prosecution stated that this incident occurred at Kharat's 'Oak's Properties' office sometime between April 2022 and December 2024. It was alleged that Kharat molested the victim by making her drink water from a copper vessel and giving her colored stones. Investigations have revealed that he repeatedly sexually assaulted her while she was in a sedated state.
Public Prosecutor Shailendra Bagde submitted to the court that a thorough interrogation of the suspect is essential. He argued that it is imperative to investigate what substances were mixed into the *pedha* and water, as well as to determine whether any other malpractices were committed under the guise of religious rituals. Furthermore, an investigation is required to ascertain whether he had any accomplices. Consequently, a remand of five days in police custody was requested.
The defense counsel opposed the request for custody. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted police custody of Kharat until April 18. Following the revelation of this case, numerous women have filed complaints with the Nashik Police, and a total of several cases have been registered against Kharat. Kharat—who styled himself as a 'Captain' and an astrologer—stands accused of betraying the trust of many women under the guise of charlatanism.
